Soulciety is a Hayward-based non-profit that empowers youth and young adults through leadership-development, job placement and training, performing arts and community service.

The organization stages Empower, an annual performing arts spectacular. This year's production, Empower: Master of the Three Rings, sees the stage, street and circus collide. It is a collaboration between 50 youth and young adult performers, 100 volunteers and numerous school-based and non-profit organizations working together to inspire the community. The funds raised benefit local youth and the young in the Philippines.

Since 2009, the show's proceeds have funded The Bridge Program, Soulciety's overseas educational program, which has provided more than 110 Pentium III+ computers and thousands of hygiene supplies, school materials, books and shoes to children living in the provinces of the Philippines. Along with this aid, some of Empower's performers teach educational workshops on health and hygiene, technology and the performing arts for these youth.

Empower's success is impossible without the hard work, professionalism and dedication of the performers, volunteers and everyone involved. Performances of each production have played to a full house. This year, the show will appear in Hayward and San Francisco.

Soulciety is in need of donors. They are fundraising through Indiegogo.com to cover the cost of the Empower production. A further $8,000 is needed by August 26, 2012 to reach their goal of $10,000 which is just a fraction of the production's costs. Donations through Indiegogo.com will receive perks that include event tickets, Soulciety shirts and even services such as wedding photography and DJ-ing/emcee-ing. Please support Soulciety and their cause by donating before August 26, 2012 at www.indiegogo.com/empower2012.

The organization also needs make-up artists, hair-stylists, volunteers for performance-days, college-based and non-profit organizations with whom to collaborate and marketing opportunities including radio, TV and billboard advertising.

For more information, visit www.soulciety.org/empower or email Executive Director Ron Carino at ronnie@soulciety.org.